Unenhanced computed tomography in acute renal colic reduces cost outside radiology department.
BACKGROUND
Unenhanced multidetector computed tomography (UMDCT) is well established as the procedure of choice for radiologic evaluation of patients with renal colic. The procedure has both clinical and financial consequences for departments of surgery and radiology. However, the financial effect outside the radiology department is poorly elucidated.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the financial consequences outside of the radiology department, a retrospective study comparing the ward occupation of patients examined with UMDCT to that of intravenous urography (IVU) was performed.


METHODS
A total of 594 consecutive patients were admitted for renal colic during two 6-month periods. One hundred seventy-three consecutive patients were examined with IVU in 2000 and 421 with UMDCT in 2005. The only difference between the two groups was the imaging procedure. The duration of hospital stay and pathology findings were registered.


RESULTS
In 50% of the patients undergoing UMDCT, a stone was found; a stone was found or suspected in 40% of patients undergoing IVU. Patients undergoing IVU stayed significantly longer in the ward than patients examined by UMDCT (P<0.0001). The new procedure (UMDCT) saved the hospital USD 265,000 every 6 months compared to the use of IVU.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of UMDCT compared to IVU in patients with renal colic leads to cost savings outside the radiology department.
Lauritsen
J
J
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark. jakobl@dadlnet.dk
Andersen
J R
JR
Nordling
J
J
Thomsen
H S
HS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003085:Colic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D014567:Urography / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult